👋🏻 We help our readers find the best quality e-bikes and gear to fit their needs. We strive to physically test the products that we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Specialized made waves when it released the Haul ST (ST stands for short tail) in 2023. The combination of ample power, small wheels with wide tires, a short wheelbase and a well-thought design made for a bike that was popular with reviewers and riders everywhere. In fact, Bicycling Magazine even named the Haul ST their “Bike of the Year” in 2023. The ST version is clearly excellent for smaller loads, but what about for people who need more carrying capacity? Specialized was happy to answer that question with the release of an LT (long tail) version that can carry even more.
I tested the Haul LT over a few months, using it for school drop-offs, grocery runs and more. Specialized is a brand that knows how to design a bike from the ground up. The company sponsors several professional teams and its bikes can be found at the front of races across every discipline within the sport. While it isn’t necessarily known for its commuter and cargo offerings, that’s starting to change. Like the ST version, the Haul LT does a lot very well, making it a viable car replacement for many people, but it may simply be too long and heavy to be a practical option for everyone.
Table of contents
Key e-bike details
Basics
- Model Reviewed: Specialized Globe Haul LT
- Base Price: $3,500
- Class: 3
- Max Speed: 28 mph
- Estimated Range: 60 miles
- Weight: 88 lbs (without accessories)
Motor & Electronics
- Motor: Globe custom tuned motor, 770w
- Torque: Not listed
- Motor location: Rear wheel
- Battery: Globe external battery, 772Wh, UL 2271 certified, IPX7
- PAS Sensor: Torque
- Throttle: No (Optional add-on)
- Display: Globe handlebar remote
Components
- Brakes: Tektro HD-T535 hydraulic disc
- Drivetrain: microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed
- Belt Drive: No
- Tires: Globe Reflect “Carless Whisper,” 20 x 3.5
Misc
- Recommended Rider Height: 4’5” – 6’4”
- Max Rider Weight: Not listed
- Total Payload Capacity: 441 lbs (including rider)
What we like about it
- Well-designed frame: The Haul LT is one the best riding long-tail designs I’ve tested. It tracks straight even with significant loads on the rear, and doesn’t get easily unsettled. For such a long bike, the frame is impressively stiff. Everything works as it should, without any quirks to deal with.
- Impressive height range: Adjusting for riders of different heights on the Haul is quick and straightforward. It’s not nearly as easy as a dropper post, but the dual quick-releases on the seatpost make it easy to change accurately (height indices are printed on the back of the post) and the range (heights from 5 feet to 6 and half feet) is impressive.
- Versatile cargo options: With the “School Bus Kit” accessory combo, there are several easy ways to stash bags, groceries, etc. Adding in some cargo bags for the rear would allow for even more versatility. I had no trouble whatsoever riding around with two kids with backpacks, a lock and a load of groceries.
- Tires: The “Carless Whisper” tires are wide enough to take some edge off the bumps, and do a good job blending traction and rolling resistance. On larger wheels, wide tires might feel cumbersome, but they feel just right here. Some give is nice, but you’ll want to keep an eye on pressure to make sure they don’t get too squishy.Excellent lights: Good lighting is one of the most important ways to stay safe on the roads. Even during the day, lights do a lot to help make you more visible. The Haul integrated lights work flawlessly and the low mounting point in the front helps highlight obstacles on the road by casting shadows from a low angle.
Where it falls short
- Just too big: The biggest issue most people will have with the Haul LT is the size. While it’s great that it can carry so much (3 kids on the back) it’s cumbersome, awkward to maneuver and very heavy. For a smaller person, it’s just too big to easily move around. Someday maybe Specialized will make a Goldilocks size in between the ST and LT!
- No chain guard: Unfortunately Specialized didn’t include a chain guard on the Haul, which means that the chain is exposed to the elements and can get tangled in pant legs or shoelaces. This isn’t too hard to remedy, but shouldn’t have been permitted in the first place.
- Expensive add-ons: I was quite pleased with the “School Bus Kit” provided by Specialized, until I looked at the price. Needing some add-ons is typical of most cargo bikes, but needing to spend over 1k for rear seating and front panniers is a lot. It would be great to see Specialized offer some more affordable packages or include more with the stock bicycle to mitigate this cost somewhat.
Watch our Youtube review
In-depth review
Specialized designed this bike from scratch, and it shows. Small details like hidden Haul logos (it’s a smiley face riffing on a North American plug design) and the generous fit adjustment demonstrate that the big S was committed to getting cargo bikes right the first time. The two models currently on offer, the ST and LT share almost all of the same componentry, other than the frame. That means that batteries, electronics, wheels and the like are readily available if issues arise with any specific part.
The Specialized Globe Haul LT is built around a burly aluminum frame paired with a steel fork. The drivetrain uses a microSHIFT rear derailleur and shifter, KMC chain and SunRace 11-36 cassette. This 9-speed group offers a reasonable, if not exceptionally wide range of gearing. Hydraulic brakes come from Tektro, and oversized 203 mm rotors help ensure adequate stopping power. The lighting system is Specialized’s own, as are most of the other components. It’s clear that parts were designed in concert with each other, as everything works harmoniously together.
The Haul LT is powered by a 772 watt hour, UL 2271 certified battery, which is rated for up to 60 miles. The motor is located in the rear hub and is both quiet and powerful. Specialized offers a two-year e-system warranty.
On the road the Haul moves impressively for its size. My test bike didn’t come equipped with a handlebar mounted throttle, but the torque-based motor spins up pretty well. If I were keeping the bike permanently, I think I may opt for a throttle, which Specialized sells separately, to make it easier to get going while weighted down. The bike is both very long and very heavy, but the small wheels and wide tires make it maneuverable and comfortable, despite the lack of suspension.
Wider tires are currently in vogue on road bikes and mountain bikes alike, and they’re a nice addition in this space as well. The higher volume rolls over obstacles well and provides a surprising amount of comfort. I also appreciated the name printed on the tire sidewall: “Carless Whisper.”
The ride isn’t as cushy as similarly equipped longtail bikes that have coil or air based suspension forks, but the wide tires do enough to take the edge off. It’s a bit unusual to see a steel fork paired with an aluminum frame, but I’m guessing that Specialized opted for this combination to keep weight down in the frame while maximizing strength in the fork. Lightweight steel forks can be made with some built in compliance, but that wasn’t the goal here.
Speaking of weight—the Haul LT has a lot of it. In the stock configuration, without any cargo baskets or containment racks, it weighs nearly 90 lbs and maneuvering it around is no easy task. Weight was also a frequent critique of the ST model—for such a small bike it’s rather hefty. While I would like to see some of this shaved down to make the bike easier to maneuver, the upside is that the Haul frame is extremely stiff. Unlike many longtail bikes that feel flexy and uncertain when weighed down, the Haul LT is rock solid. This improves handling and makes for much more confident riding while in tight quarters.
The Haul LT is also very long. By doubling the cargo space of the ST, the entire bike is very capable, but again, unwieldy. You’ll need to have significant storage space to keep it, and going up or down steps is probably out of the question. This length helps with stability while riding, but I can’t help but feel like most riders would have an easier time if the overall length was 6 or 8 inches shorter.
While we’re talking about shortcomings, the other big miss is the lack of a chain guard. A lot of cargo bikes, especially higher end offerings, are moving to belt drive systems to reduce maintenance and have a cleaner, grease-free drivetrain. Specialized hasn’t gone that route yet, I’m assuming for cost reasons, but it would have been helpful to include a chain cover both to protect the chain from the elements as well as keep pant legs and small feet away from moving parts. I’m surprised that this wasn’t part of the design, as it seems like an obvious oversight on a bike with very few of them.
The MSRP for the Haul LT is $3,500, which places it firmly in the mid-range bracket of what’s currently on the market. It’s a step up from entry level bikes, like the RadWagon or the impressive-for-the-price Aventon Abound I previously tested, but it doesn’t cost nearly as much as offerings from Tern or bucket-style bikes like Urban Arrow or Riese and Muller. This is a section of the market that I expect to fill in rapidly as more people embrace e-cargo bikes as fun and functional car replacements. It can be hard to justify spending over 5k on a bicycle, but closer to 3k seems to be a lot more palatable for people.
That $3500 is still a lot of money, however, and that’s just for the stock configuration. If you want to add on cargo options or kid-carrying infrastructure, that will bump up the price significantly. Specialized equipped my test bike with what it calls the “School Bus Kit” which includes a front rack and basket, two rigid Coolcave front panniers (which are basically wastebaskets with drainage holes and net coverings), rear cushions and a cargo rail as well as running boards for kid feet. In total that adds over $1000 to the price, plus tax. These add-ons will be necessary for most people who want to carry kids + cargo, and they’re not cheap!
These add-ons can add up, but Specialied does equip the stock bike with a bell and fenders, which both performed well. A bell is a necessity on a bike like this that will be ridden on mixed use paths, trails and sidewalks. Also part of the stock setup is an excellent lighting system. The Front light uses LEDs and is mounted on the front of the fender, nice and low to the ground.
The control screen is minute which is nice as it blends in well on the handlebars, but makes it difficult to read while riding. The buttons are also very small—they would be very hard to use with gloves on. I would like to see Specialized update the display somewhat to make it easier to use and see. It didn’t detract from the riding experience at all, but there’s room for improvement.
Range is impressive for a bike this big, but then the battery is also correspondingly large. Specialized quotes up to 60 miles of range, which might be doable in the lowest power assist setting, but as I prefer to have more assist—usually level 4 while loaded, and level 5 solo—I got closer to 25 miles per charge. I found that to still be plenty, however, as most of our trips are short and charging once a week is very reasonable.
This was my first time riding a Class 3 e-bike, and I enjoyed it. 28 mph is fast! With children on the back, it actually feels too fast. It’s not hard to modulate your speed within a more comfortable range, however, and for times when you just need to traverse a busier section of road or blend in with traffic the power is appreciated. The hydraulic brakes and large rotors had no issues stopping the bike, even from high speeds.
For fans of bright colors, you may be disappointed. The Haul LT’s only color option is a light gray called “Gloss White Mountains,” which is pleasantly neutral and won’t draw undue attention to itself.
All in all, the Specialized Globe Haul LT is an impressive package. It is a supremely capable cargo bike that will get you and your human cargo (or other payload) from point A to point B comfortably and efficiently. But you’ll need some serious muscle to move the bike around, and significant storage space, on street level, to store it. Perhaps a future iteration will get more streamlined, but for now the LT works best for larger, stronger riders.
